Shenyang Palace Museum is the only well-preserved group of ancient palace buildings in the country except for the Beijing Palace Museum. It covers 60,000 square meters and is a history museum with collections and exhibits that deal mainly with Qing-dynasty art and artifacts. The Museum was founded on the site of the former Shenyang Imperial Palace, which enjoys equal popularity as the Forbidden City. The Shenyang Imperial Palace was built in 1625 by Nurhachi when the Manchus declared Shenyang to be their capital. The museum has more than 300 Manchu-style buildings covering an area of 60,000 square meters, the layout of which appears to be natural, sublime and imposing.